DOCSLIB.ORG

Brief on India - Bulgaria Relations

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Brief on India - Bulgaria Relations Bilateral Political Relations Relations between India and Bulgaria are longstanding, warm and friendly. The two countries, which happen to be ancient civilizations, are proud of their glorious cultural heritage. People to people contacts and cultural links between the two countries pre-date the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1954 and there are traces of contacts between the peoples of the two countries as early as the 8th Century AD. Despite political changes witnessed by the two countries in the last six decades, India and Bulgaria, as two independent nation-States have developed a close, cordial and multi-dimensional relationship. The multi-faceted relationship has flourished based on continuity and mutual understanding and has progressively evolved into a binding friendship. High-level bilateral visits include that by President Ram Nath Kovind (2018), Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2003), Vice President Krishan Kant (2000), President S. D. Sharma (1994), Vice President R. Venkataraman (1985), PM Indira Gandhi (1981), President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1980), President V.V. Giri (1976), PM Indira Gandhi (1967) and Vice-President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (1954); and From the Bulgarian side, their Presidents - Mr. Petar Stoyanov in 1998 and Mr. Todor Zhivkov (1976 & 1983); and Prime Ministers – Mr. Sergei Stanishev in 2007 and Mr. Stanko Todorov (1974, & 1980). Honourable President of India H.E. Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Savita Kovind, paid a State Visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev from 4- 6 September 2018. This was the first high level visit from India to Bulgaria after 15 years. His delegation included Mr. Parshottam Rupala, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Members of Parliament Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh and Mr. Ram Shakal, Secretary to President Mr. Sanjay Kothari, Secretary (West) Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam, and other senior government officials. 5 MoUs/documents on cooperation in the field of investment, science & technology, civil nuclear energy, tourism and establishment of Hindi Chair at Sofia University were signed during the visit. External Affairs Minister of India (EAM), Smt. Sushma Swaraj paid an official visit to Bulgaria on 16-17 February 2019. The visit was a follow-up visit to the State Visit of the President of India to Bulgaria in September 2018. During the visit, EAM met Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva. The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. They agreed that bilateral economic cooperation is at a good standing, but much more could be done to improve it including in areas such as economy, science & technology, education and agriculture. EAM said that she had a very fruitful meeting with her Bulgarian counterpart and she hoped that it would deliver positive results and would be in the focus of both countries future interactions. Honourable Minister of State for Textiles Shri Ajay Tamta visited Bulgaria on 8-11 May 2018. During his meeting with the Bulgarian Minister of economy both sides comprehensively reviewed the possibilities for strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation, exploring possibilities of collaboration in the field of textiles including joint production and sourcing of cotton, silk and raw materials from India. Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour & Employment, Shri B. Dattatreya, led an Indian delegation for the 5th ASEM Labour & Employment Ministers’ Conference held in Sofia on 2nd December, 2015. From the Bulgarian side key visits in the last decade include Bulgarian Dy PM and Foreign Minister, Mr. Ivailo Kalfin in February 2009, Bulgarian Economy & Energy Minister Delyan Dobrev in October 2012 for the 17th JCM; Bulgarian Foreign Minister, Mr. Kristian Vigenin in November 2013 for the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova in November 1 2015 and that of the Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Economy Mr. Alexander Manolev in March 2018 for the 18th Session of Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi on 6 March 2018 and to participate in the 4th edition of “India-Europe 29 Business Forum” (IE29BF). Important Bilateral Treaties and Agreements The two countries have signed agreements on Tourism; Avoidance of Double Taxation; Combating Organized Crime, International Terrorism and Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics and Psychotropic substances; Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations; Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement; Air Services Agreement; Defence Cooperation; Science and Technology; Extradition; Cooperation in Youth Affairs and Sports; Information Technologies; Economic Cooperation; Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters; Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons; Protocol for Amending the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investment; Protocol of Intent on Labour Relations; Employment and Social Security; Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Development; abolition of visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports; Programme of Cooperation in the field of Science & Technology, Programme of Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine and Programme for Cooperation in the Fields of Science, Education and Culture, Civil Nuclear Cooperation etc. Tourism, Investment, Establishment of Hindi Chair at Sofia University etc. Bilateral Commercial and Economic Relations Bilateral trade between the two countries is on the rise, but there is a lot of scope for expanding the trade basket. There are great complementarities in IT, biotechnology, agriculture sector, food processing industry, hospitality and entertainment sectors. The following table shows India’s trade with Bulgaria during the last five years: Year India’s Exports to India’ s Imports from Total Bilateral Bulgaria (in US$ Bulgaria (in US$ Trade (in US$ millions) millions) million) 2013-2014 168.10 93.65 261.75 2014-2015 266.45 103.66 370.11 2015-2016 145.53 93.72 239.26 2016-2017 239.53 182.22 421.75 2017-2018 173.24 141.94 315.18 2018-2019 212.43 125.66 338.09 (Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi) Major items of Indian exports to Bulgaria are organic chemicals; unmanufactured tobacco; medicaments; electric parts; wool; paving blocks, slabs, bricks; polymers of propylene; ferro-alloys. Major items of Bulgarian exports to India are laboratory instruments & apparatus; animal feeding preparations; kraft paper; radio-broadcasting apparatus; aluminium waste & scrap; machinery for working rubber or plastics; copper waste & scrap; engines & motors. Tourism Tourism is an area, which holds prospects for both the countries. Bulgaria, with its beautiful mountains, the Black-Sea coast boasting of cities like Varna and Burgas, has become an attractive destination for Bollywood film Industry too. In July 2006, Member of Parliament and film actor Shri Vinod Khanna visited Bulgaria for shooting of his film ‘Godfather’. Several big banner movies like “Bahubali”, “Dilwale” starring Shah Rukh Khan & Kajol and Ajay Devgan’s “Shivaay were extensive shot at various locations in Bulgaria. Recently Telugu Movie “Aganathavasi” and Bollywood film 2 “Bhramastra” starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbeer Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, were shot at various locations in Bulgaria. President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind requested Bulgarian President Mr. Rumen Radev during his State Visit to drop in on the sets of the movie. Indian films have helped in popularizing Bulgaria as an interesting tourist destination among the Indian public. Noted film director Rohit Shetty and his team who have been instrumental in bringing several Bollywood productions to Bulgaria participated in the Flag hoisting function on Independence Day this year, and was one of the recipients of Certificates of Appreciation awarded to various stakeholders who had been instrumental in taking the India-Bulgaria relationship forward. Maintaining the Indian entertainment industry’s continued interest in Bulgaria, the adventure-based TV reality show “Khatron Ke Khiladi” was shot in Sofia in August and September 2019. Cultural Relations and people to people contacts While the interest of Bulgaria in India existed since many centuries, during the 19th century, the Bulgarian revolutionary Georgi Rakovski expressed support and sympathy for the people of India on the occasion of the India's First War of Independence in 1857. Indian culture has enjoyed considerable popularity in Bulgaria right from the days of Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Bulgaria in 1926 which was an important milestone in developing literary relationship between the two countries. Indian classics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas, Upanishadas, Bhagvat Gita and Panchatantra as also the modern authors like Prem Chand, Mulk Raj Anand and Amrita Pritam are very popular among Bulgarians. Some of the eminent Bulgarian poets like Hristo Botev, Hristo Smyrensky and Nikola Vaptsarov have also been widely translated to Indian languages. Indian culture enjoys considerable popularity in Bulgaria. In modern times, right from the days when Rabindranath Tagore was awarded Nobel Prize in 1913 and his visit to Bulgaria in 1926, Indian culture has been well received which is evident by the popularity of not only the Indian classics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagvat Gita and
Recommended publications
  • %86,1(66%86,1(66

    %86,1(66%86,1(66

    z z z z EVENTS ANALYSES INTERVIEWS Issue 1(172) CO%86,1(66 NNECT January-February 2017 $ආൾඋංർൺඇ&ඁൺආൻൾඋඈൿ&ඈආආൾඋർൾංඇ%ඎඅ඀ൺඋංൺ SINCE 1990 WITH ACCESS TO 100 COUNTRIES 21 000 LAWYERS 160 LAW FIRMS AT HOME WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL & COMPANY LAW COMPETITION & ANTITRUST MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS ENERGY & RENEWABLES ADMINISTRATIVE LAW LITIGATION & ARBITRATION & PUBLIC PROCUREMENT BANKING & FINANCING LAW TAXATION & LABOR TRADEMARKS, PATENTS IT, MEDIA & TELECOMMUNICATIONS & LICENSING Legal: 500: Chambers Europe: Chambers Global: IFLR 1000: “Excellent, comprehensive “More western than others” “Innovative and practical, “They are the best and responsive services” “One of the best in Bulgaria” entirely client & business when it comes to advising investors, “Excellent – prompt, oriented” they know how the law works…” efficient and extremely knowledgeable of the local environment” e-mail: [email protected] ∙ www.penkov-markov.eu ∙ telephone: (+359 2) 971 3935 editor's notes 1 Labor Conundrum Labor market in Bulgaria resembles a riddle, overwhelmed with opposite-side arguments in a way that whatever you say, it may well be true. There is a high percentage of youth unemployment, but at the same time big portion of highly qualiÀ ed older professionals were kicked out of the market due to their retirement age. Moreover, the labor market is not prepared for the new challenge of older workers’ needs and the pension system is increasing the retirement age. Qualitative labor shortage versus being an overqualiÀ ed professional striving to À nd a decent job, are another two sides to the story. In trying to solve the conundrum and indicate possible solutions, Business Connect assembled a medley of opinions from diverse social groups: a former minister of labor and social policy, researchers, AmCham business leaders and leaders of professional associations in the IT, outsourcing and automobile industries.
  • Presidential Elections in Bulgaria of 23 and 30

    Presidential Elections in Bulgaria of 23 and 30

    March 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1 EuroMarch 2011 pean Times Volume 1, Issue th The Newsletter of Contemporary European Politics Nr.2, December 2011 Editor: José M. Magone Contents PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN BULGARIA Presidential OF 23 AND 30 0CTOBER 2011 elections in Bulgaria Presidential and Local Rossen Plevneliev was able The ruling minority in October 2011 1 Elections took place in two to prevail in the second government of party rd th General elections in rounds on 23 and 30 of round against main Citizens for the European Denmark 1 October in Bulgaria. challenger, the Socialist Development of candidate Ivailo Kalfin. Bulgaria(GERB) under The presidential elections Elections in Bulgaria Plevneviev got 52.58 prime minister Boyko were contested by 10 in October 2 percent, and Kalfin 47.42 Borissov can rely on a candidates and the local 2011(cont.) percent of the vote. president of the same elections by 85 political party. It seems that the parties. Already in the first round, presidential and local Plevneliev was able to gain Elections in Denmark In the presidential results were a confirmation 40.11 percent, while Kalfin on 16 September elections the candidate of the present government, 2011(cont.) was just a distant second supported by the in spite of the bad 3 with 28.96 percent. conservative government economic situation.(p.2). The Finnish Elections This means that until 2013, of 17 April 2011:The Strengthening of the GENERAL ELECTIONS IN DENMARK ON 16 SEPTEMBER 2011: True Finns 4 THE ELECTION OF THE FIRST DANISH FEMALE PRIME MINISTER HELLE THORNING-SCHMIDT The Legislative Elections in Poland After a decade of the vote was just 50.2 to achieve a doubling of on 9 October 2011 conservative governments , percent for a left centre their 2007 result.
  • Eu-Bulgaria Joint Parliamentary Committee

    Eu-Bulgaria Joint Parliamentary Committee

    EU-BULGARIA JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE 20th Meeting 28 November 2005 BRUSSELS DRAFT MINUTES 1. Adoption of the draft agenda (PE366.146/rev)............................................................ 2 . 2. Approval of the minutes of the 19th meeting of the EU-Bulgaria JPC, Sofia 24/25 January 2005 (PE 358.297)................................................................................ 2 3. Social policy and social inclusion of vulnerable groups, statement by Ms Emilia MASLAROVA, Minister of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria, followed by an exchange of views.............................................. 2 4. Economic developments in Bulgaria: progress in maintaining sustainable growth and macro-economic stability, introduction by Mr Petar CHOBANOV, Executive Director, Agency for Economic Analysis and Forecasting........................................ 3 5. Progress in the adoption of legislation and its implementation, concerning justice and home affairs, introduction by Mr Margarit GANEV, Deputy Minister of Justice......... 3 6. Bulgaria’s contribution to the political and economic stability of South- East Europe and its role in furthering the European integration process in the region....................... 4 7. Exchange of views with the Commission, the Council and the Bulgarian Government on Bulgaria’s progress towards accession to the EU in the light of the Commission's 2005 Comprehensive Monitoring Report; the accompanying Letter of the Member of the Commission, Mr. Olli Rehn to the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Ivailo Kalfin................................. 4 Statements and briefings by: • Mr Olli REHN, Member of the European Commission • Mr Dominick CHILCOTT, UK Foreign Ministry Director of Europe, representing the Presidency-in-Office of the Council of the European Union • Ms Meglena KUNEVA, Bulgarian Minister for European Affairs 8.
  • Bulgaria 2020 International Religious Freedom Report

    Bulgaria 2020 International Religious Freedom Report

    BULGARIA 2020 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT Executive Summary The constitution provides for freedom of religion and conscience. Religious groups may worship without registering, but registered groups receive benefits. The constitution recognizes Eastern Orthodox Christianity as the country’s “traditional” religion, and the law exempts the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) from registration. In December, the Plovdiv Appellate Court began hearing an appeal by 14 Romani Muslims convicted in 2019 of spreading Salafi Islam, among other charges. Muslim leaders again said several municipalities denied permission to build new or rehabilitate existing religious facilities. The Evangelical Alliance and some other religious groups stated the government did not apply COVID-19 restrictions on religious groups equally, favoring the BOC. The European Court of Human Rights stopped the deportation of three Uyghur Muslims to China. In February, a Shumen court ruled the municipality’s ordinance restricting proselytizing was unconstitutional. A parliamentarian and member of the governing political coalition criticized the ruling, which was being appealed, calling Jehovah’s Witnesses a “dangerous sect.” In February, the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the Sofia mayor’s ban on the annual march honoring Hristo Lukov, leader of a pro-Nazi organization in the 1940s, restricting the event to laying flowers at Lukov’s plaque. The academy of sciences published a report, backed by several government ministries, denying the World War II-era government had sent Jews to forced labor camps but instead had tried to save them from the Nazis. The Jewish nongovernmental organization (NGO) Shalom reported death threats, increased incidents of anti-Semitic hate speech in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and periodic vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and monuments.
  • European Parliament Mid-Term Election: What Impact on Migration Policy?

    European Parliament Mid-Term Election: What Impact on Migration Policy?

    www.epc.eu 16 March 2017 01/12/2009 European Parliament mid-term election: what impact on migration policy? Marco Funk As the dust settles from the European Parliament’s (EP) mid-term election held on 17 January 2017, migration continues to top the EU’s agenda. The election of Antonio Tajani to replace Martin Schulz as president of the EP brought the institution under the leadership of the European People’s Party (EPP) after a power-sharing agreement with the socialist S&D was cancelled and replaced by a last-minute deal with the liberal ALDE group. A closer look at Tajani’s election and associated reshuffle of key internal positions suggests little change in the EP’s course on migration in the short term. However, upcoming developments may significantly change Parliament dynamics in the longer term. New president, different style Antonio Tajani is considered by many to be a less political, less activist president compared to Martin Schulz. The former is also apparently less willing to insist on a prominent role for the EP than the latter. Furthermore, Tajani shares the same conservative political affiliation as the heads of the European Commission and European Council, which makes ideological confrontations with Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk even less likely than under Schulz, who had few disagreements with either. While Schulz already maintained good relations with Juncker and closely coordinated responses to the large influx of refugees in 2015/2016, Tajani is even better placed to cooperate effectively due to his previous Commission experience and ideological alignment. Despite Tajani’s association with Italy’s populist conservative leader Silvio Berlusconi, he has adopted a more mainstream conservative political identity, which ultimately won him the EPP’s support.
  • Draft Programme

    Draft Programme

    Reaching the heights for the rights of the child Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child 2016-2021 High-Level Launching Conference Sofia, 5-6 April 2016 Draft programme Last updated 21 March 2016 2 Introduction It’s been 10 years since the Council of Europe has set up the Programme “Building a Europe for and with Children” to enhance its commitment to children and their human rights. Since 2009, this work has been guided by two consecutive Strategies on the Rights of the Child: The Stockholm Strategy (2009-2011) and the Monaco Strategy (2012-2015). A mid-term conference took stock of the latter in Dubrovnik in 2014. This conference in Sofia, entitled “Reaching the heights for the rights of the child”, launches the third Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child. The “Sofia Strategy”, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 2 March 2016, will guide the 47 member States over the next six years in addressing the following five priority objectives on the rights of the child: 1. equal opportunities for all children; 2. participation of all children; 3. a life free from violence for all children; 4. child-friendly justice for all children; 5. the rights of the child in the digital environment. The Conference is organised in the framework of the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and hosted by the State Agency for Child Protection and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Bulgaria. It provides an opportunity for high-level representatives of member States and other international organisations to express their commitment to the Strategy and present their vision on its implementation.
  • A Key Issue for Bulgaria Evgeniy Kandilarov

    A Key Issue for Bulgaria Evgeniy Kandilarov

    ISSN: 2560-1601 Vol. 28, No. 4 (BG) April 2020 Bulgaria external relations briefing: International Solidarity in a Global Pandemic - A Key Issue for Bulgaria Evgeniy Kandilarov 1052 Budapest Petőfi Sándor utca 11. +36 1 5858 690 Kiadó: Kína-KKE Intézet Nonprofit Kft. [email protected] Szerkesztésért felelős személy: CHen Xin Kiadásért felelős személy: Huang Ping china-cee.eu 2017/01 International Solidarity in a Global Pandemic - A Key Issue ror Bulgaria In the situation of a global pandemic, in which each country experiences many difficulties and serious challenges related to its health, social and economic systems, the issue of so-called international solidarity is becoming extremely important, especially for such countries as Bulgaria with small and highly dependent economies and very limited sources. International solidarity within EU A few weeks ago, Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev noted that actually we are experiencing a kind of paradox. The virus knows no borders, and at the same time closing borders has proved to be the first and only common solution in all countries, regardless of their different traditions and political systems. At present, neither governments nor societies have a clear idea of what's going on and what's going to happen. And the most important thing for any government is to create a sense that the situation is under control. It is precisely the closure of borders in some almost mystical way that convinces people that, first, the government is taking care of something and, second, that this is the way to solve the problem. For this reason, we are in a situation where the EU has been suspended in recent weeks.
  • European Parliament Made Simple

    European Parliament Made Simple

    THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MADE SIMPLE 2014-2019 The European Parliament Made Simple is produced by the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) as a introduction to the workings of the European Parliament for amateurs and experts alike. Production Team Editor and project manager Giovanni Mastrobuono Senior Communications Officer Editorial assistance Alexandrine Gauvin Communications Officer Eli Corso-Phinney Communications Intern The information contained in this publication has been compiled in good faith and is accurate according to the most recent sources available at the time of going to press. Photographs used with the kind permission of the Audiovisual Libraries of the European Commission, Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. First edition, 2014 ISBN: 978-2-9146856-7-2 Printed in Belgium American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) Avenue des Arts 53, B-1000 Brussels Telephone: +32 (0)2 513 68 92 Fax: +32 (0)2 513 79 28 [email protected] www.amchameu.eu Foreword Susan Danger Managing Director American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union t is with great pleasure that I present AmCham EU’s newest guide, The European Parliament Made Simple. The Lisbon Treaty, signed in 2009, gave the European Parliament greater power in EU Idecision-making and an increased role in selecting and approving the European Commission. As a result, this year’s European election has a greater democratic influence than ever before. With this in mind, AmCham EU has published The European Parliament Made Simple to explain the Parliament’s expanded powers and roles, for both the Brussels policy community and public affairs professionals in the EU and US.
  • Bulgaria 1 the European Times Bulgaria

    Bulgaria 1 the European Times Bulgaria

    THE EUROPEAN TIMES EUROPEAN THE BULGARIA 1 BULGARIA INTRODUCTION AGRICULTURE • Most Favourable Tax Treatment • Agriculture Sector Offers in the European Union 4 Significant Investment Potential 18 GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT • Strong Government Focused • Ambitious Upgrades of the on Growth and Stability 6 Transport System 20 ECONOMY ENERGY • Buoyant Economic Growth Driven • Interview with Temenuzhka Petkova, by Consumption and Investment 8 Minister of Energy: Bulgaria’s Reliable Energy Sector is a Strong Base BUSSINESS & INVESTMENT for Economic Growth 22 OPPORTUNITIES • Strategic Logistics Hub and HEALTHCARE Superb Investment Destination 10 • Modernisation of the Healthcare • PREDISTIC LTD: Vibrant Company System Underway 24 Strives to Become the Preferred IT Partner for Leading International Businesses 13 • PDS Bulgaria: Cutting Edge Software TOURISM and Consultancy for the Digitally Transforming Businesses 13 • Interview with Blagoi Ragin, • Invest Bulgaria Agency: President of BHRA: Significant Bulgaria – Come for a Visit, Contribution to the Bulgarian Return on Investment 14 Toursim Sector 26 • Industrial Zones with Attractive • Among Europe’s Fastest Growing Tourist Conditions and Excellent Infrastructure 15 Destinations 27 • Substantive Incentives for Certified Investors 16 • GENEVA HOTEL: Significant Contribution to the Bulgarian Tourism Sector 29 • ATM HOTELS 30 • MARRINELLA APARTMENTS: Blend of Modern Accommodation and Bulgarian Hospitality in the Heart of Sofia 32 Regional Director: Suzana Skoko – Business Analysts: Andrej Petrovski & Goran Velkovski – Head of Production: Ivana Popchev – Production Manager: Kally Themistocleous – Editorial: Tomislav Hristov & Snezana Stefanovska – Design: Panche Prendjov The European Times Zinas Kanther 16 – Karantoki Building – 7th Floor, Office 25-26 – 1065 Nicosia – Cyprus Tel.: +357 22 030248 – [email protected] – www.european-times.com The European Times is a division of Crystal Mediacorp Limited.
  • 40Th MEETING of the BSEC COUNCIL of MINISTERS of FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sofia, 28 June 2019)

    40Th MEETING of the BSEC COUNCIL of MINISTERS of FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sofia, 28 June 2019)

    July 2019 Issue No. : 9 40th MEETING OF THE BSEC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sofia, 28 June 2019) The Republic of Bulgaria, hosted the “40th Apart from praising the efforts of their Meeting of the BSEC Council of Ministers of Bulgarian colleagues for an exceptionally Foreign Affairs (40th CMFA)”, at the end of successful chairmanship, the members of the which, it handed over the BSEC Chairmanship Council discussed and approved decisions on to the Hellenic Republic (lasting from 01.07. to various important issues; among the most 31.12.2019). important was the unanimous invitation extended to the Republic of North Macedonia, The 40th CMFA was presided by H.E Ms. following the relevant application of the latter, Ekaterina Zaharieva, Deputy Prime Minister to accede to the BSEC Charter in order to and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic become the 13th Member of the Organization. It of Bulgaria, and was attended by Ministers, is worth noting that the Minister of Foreign Deputy Ministers and other high-level Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, representatives of the twelve BSEC Member H.E. Mr. Nicola Dimitrov, participated in the States, its Related Bodies, Observers, Sectoral event as a guest. Dialogue Partners and other guests. Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS) July 2019 Issue No : 9 A first in BSEC-EU history! The first ever “High-Level Conference on BSEC - EU Cooperation”, co-organized by the BSEC PERMIS and the European Commission’s Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), within the framework and with the support of the Bulgarian BSEC Chairmanship-in-Office and the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, was hosted in Brussels on the 18th of June 2019 with the participation of several Ministers from both sides.
  • Human Rights in Bulgaria in 2018 1

    Human Rights in Bulgaria in 2018 1

    HUMAN Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organisation of the civil society for defending basic human rights in the Republic of RIGHTS Bulgaria established in 1992. Part of the committee’s work is the monitoring of the human rights situation in Bulgaria. BHC’s annual report is published since 1994. It is based on IN BULGARIA some of the most notable observations of the organisation’s team for the previous year. IN HUMAN RIGHTS IN BULGARIA IN 2018 1 HUMAN RIGHTS IN BULGARIA IN 2018 The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee is an independent non-governmental organisation for the protection of human rights. It was founded on 14 July 1992. This report was produced as a result of monitoring activities carried out with the support of the Open Society Foundations, the Oak Foundation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Human Rights in Bulgaria in 2018 Sofia, July 2019 The present report can be freely quoted upon acknowledgement of the source. Authors: Adela Kachaunova, Antoaneta Nenkova, Diana Dragieva, Dilyana Angelova, Iveta Savova, Iliana Savova, Krassimir Kanev, Nadezhda Tzekulova, Radoslav Stoyanov, Raya Raeva, Slavka Kukova, Stanimir Petrov, Yana Buhrer-Tavanier. English language editor: Desislava Simeonova Publisher: Bulgarian Helsinki Committee 7 Varbitsa Street 1504 Sofia Bulgaria Tel. +3592 944 0670, ++3592 483 6298 www.bghelsinki.org 2 HUMAN RIGHTS IN BULGARIA IN 2018 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AC Administrative Court APIA Access to Public Information Act ASA Amending and Supplementing
  • Reframing EU-Russia Relations

    Reframing EU-Russia Relations

    “We are living through a global counter-revolution. The institutions and values of liberal internationalism are being eroded beneath our feet and societies are becoming increasingly polarised. The consensus for EU action is increasingly difficult to forge, but there is a way forward. In this new world, on our tenth anniversary, the European Council on Foreign Relations will take a bottom-up approach to building grassroots consensus for greater cooperation on European foreign and security policy. Our vision is to demonstrate that engaging in common European action remains the most effective way of protecting European citizens. But we will reach out beyond those already converted to our message, framing our ideas and calls for action in a way that resonates with key decision- makers and the wider public across Europe’s capitals.” Mark Leonard, Director “ We believe a common foreign policy will allow individual countries to increase their global influence. A strong European voice in favour of human rights, democracy and international law will not just benefit Europeans; it will be good for the world.” Martti Ahtisaari, Joschka Fischer, Mark Leonard and Mabel van Oranje writing in the Financial Times, 1 October 2007 ecfr.eu Our leadership The European Council on Foreign Relations We provide a safe meeting space for decision- (ECFR) is an award-winning international makers and influencers to share ideas for think-tank that aims to conduct cutting-edge common action; we promote informed debate independent research in pursuit of a on Europe’s role in the world; and we build coherent, effective and values-based pan-European coalitions for policy change.